“It was love at first sight,” muses Salme Klaus of the moment she met Ken Dawson. “He asked me to dance after dinner, and I felt that I could dance with him for the rest of my life.” On a romantic trip to Paris during the holidays, Ken made his intentions clear – more than once. “He hired a limo for the day and drove me around the city,” explains Salme. “[He] kept proposing in front of all the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame… It was super romantic!”

Since the bride and groom reside in Laguna Niguel and they wanted to exchange vows near the beach, they chose The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. An intimate guest list of 60 loved ones gathered on the manicured lawn atop romantic seating with pale blue cushions provided by Chameleon Chair Collection.

Flower petals decorated the aisle, and the spot for the vow exchange was marked by creamy drapery embellished with fresh greenery and colorful blossoms designed by Flowers by Cina that complemented the gorgeous view of the sea. Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the couple took sunset portraits on the beach. “I couldn’t stop smiling!” Salme shares.

The reception continued the same color scheme from the ceremony, which featured a charming blend of pink, grey, blue, and yellow tones. Centerpieces featured lush florals including roses, peonies, and ranunculus blooms in the same scheme accented with ferns that astonished loved ones throughout the sit-down service and beyond – “Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful!” adds the bride. Floating candles and flickering candlelight in metallic votives provided a romantic ambience, as did a chandelier suspended over the dance floor featuring the pair’s monogram.

“I just felt that our wedding represented my style and our personalities really well,” confirms the bride. With that, she advises other couples preparing to say “I do” to appreciate the little things throughout the celebration. “Be totally present during the wedding day, enjoy every moment, and really take it all in!”

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